the insanity that is LA
I wish I was sitting on the left side of the shuttle this morning as I was heading to work from Union Station. Why? Because our route goes right past the Coroner's Office on the way to the campus and this morning, there was a sea of media decked out on Mission Rd. I always keep a camera with me in my backpack for moments like this. But unfortunately I wasn't sitting on the left side of the bus, because if I did, I would have been able to snap a pic of the media frenzy. They are all parked there waiting for some official coroner's report about the cause of death of Michael Jackson. I saw logos on media trucks that I have never seen or heard before. Where did they all come from??? Oh well, a missed photo opportunity.
As the shuttle drove by, I figured I can take a long stroll during lunch and photodocument this. But alas, I was busy. Then on my way out during the evening rush, I purposefully sat on the right side of the shuttle with my camera ready. But the driver was smart - our route was diverted to avoid the traffic. Another lost opportunity. Perhaps if the media so inclines on Monday, I'll be sure to sit on the proper side of the shuttle for my driveby shoot. But then again, I will be driving near the area tomorrow... if I take a 3 mile detour... Hmm, I think I'm getting obsessed, like them. Can't help it... I find the insanity amusing.
Contemplating our loss and the weirdness of this whole thing... do you remember the scene in Ocean's 11 where Basher, the explosives expert, is sitting in the hotel room watching the casino implosion/demolition on TV while the real deal happens right behind him outside his window? I had that surreal moment last evening. My friend and I were at our Vietnamese hangout in Chinatown grabbing dinner to go. Everyone, workers and diners alike, all had their eyes glued to the television. At the time, coverage was on the Sherriff's helicopter, which was flying the skies above LA, taking MJ's body from the UCLA medical center on the Westside to the Coroner's Office next to the LAC+USC medical center. As the downtown skyline came and went on the TV screen, I knew the helicopter was flying past us since we're in the relative vicinity of General Hospital. But this wasn't an OJ moment - no one ran outside to watch the copter fly by. We just sat, watching the TV instead. I don't know what others in the room were thinking - the mood was somber though. I was a bit shocked, somewhat sad. I thought about his children. I was a bit angry/disappointed, thinking "someone" wasn't watching his meds and his conditioning properly. When asked if my image of MJ was marred by his recent troubles, I said yes and no. I've always seen him as two Michaels (pre and post Thriller). And the strongest image I think of most will always be the 80's Michael. I never learned the dance moves but I still loved his music. I remember Corey in Jr High dressing up as MJ one Halloween day, complete with the silver gloved hand and the black hat. I remembered watching his Grammy performances on TV where he swept the competition away. I remember listening to Thriller and loving Vincent Price's laugh echoing to end the song. I remember watching old Jackson 5 music videos and learning about Motown. The 80's was all about music for us young ones back then. Coming from someone growing up and sheltered in a cultural ghetto, it was the MTV video revolution, the British invasion, New Wave, MJ's music, Sting and Band Aid that helped opened my eyes and my mind to the world.
And because his death usurped media attention from these others... RIP Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon. Charlie's Angels and TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes have been a childhood staple. Thanks for the memories. And because I just found out about this... to my friend's mom's friend - I've never met you but from the stories my friend told me, you seemed like a very, kind person. RIP.
As the shuttle drove by, I figured I can take a long stroll during lunch and photodocument this. But alas, I was busy. Then on my way out during the evening rush, I purposefully sat on the right side of the shuttle with my camera ready. But the driver was smart - our route was diverted to avoid the traffic. Another lost opportunity. Perhaps if the media so inclines on Monday, I'll be sure to sit on the proper side of the shuttle for my driveby shoot. But then again, I will be driving near the area tomorrow... if I take a 3 mile detour... Hmm, I think I'm getting obsessed, like them. Can't help it... I find the insanity amusing.
Contemplating our loss and the weirdness of this whole thing... do you remember the scene in Ocean's 11 where Basher, the explosives expert, is sitting in the hotel room watching the casino implosion/demolition on TV while the real deal happens right behind him outside his window? I had that surreal moment last evening. My friend and I were at our Vietnamese hangout in Chinatown grabbing dinner to go. Everyone, workers and diners alike, all had their eyes glued to the television. At the time, coverage was on the Sherriff's helicopter, which was flying the skies above LA, taking MJ's body from the UCLA medical center on the Westside to the Coroner's Office next to the LAC+USC medical center. As the downtown skyline came and went on the TV screen, I knew the helicopter was flying past us since we're in the relative vicinity of General Hospital. But this wasn't an OJ moment - no one ran outside to watch the copter fly by. We just sat, watching the TV instead. I don't know what others in the room were thinking - the mood was somber though. I was a bit shocked, somewhat sad. I thought about his children. I was a bit angry/disappointed, thinking "someone" wasn't watching his meds and his conditioning properly. When asked if my image of MJ was marred by his recent troubles, I said yes and no. I've always seen him as two Michaels (pre and post Thriller). And the strongest image I think of most will always be the 80's Michael. I never learned the dance moves but I still loved his music. I remember Corey in Jr High dressing up as MJ one Halloween day, complete with the silver gloved hand and the black hat. I remembered watching his Grammy performances on TV where he swept the competition away. I remember listening to Thriller and loving Vincent Price's laugh echoing to end the song. I remember watching old Jackson 5 music videos and learning about Motown. The 80's was all about music for us young ones back then. Coming from someone growing up and sheltered in a cultural ghetto, it was the MTV video revolution, the British invasion, New Wave, MJ's music, Sting and Band Aid that helped opened my eyes and my mind to the world.
And because his death usurped media attention from these others... RIP Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon. Charlie's Angels and TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes have been a childhood staple. Thanks for the memories. And because I just found out about this... to my friend's mom's friend - I've never met you but from the stories my friend told me, you seemed like a very, kind person. RIP.